Patterns of firewood exploitation and utilization in peri-urban and rural areas of Owerri Zone in southern Nigeria
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Date
2014-09-30
Authors
Adeyemi, Adesoji Akinwumi
Ibe, Anthony Eloka
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Nigeria
Abstract
A study was conducted to assess the firewood extraction and utilization patterns in two local government areas of Owerri
zone, Imo State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was adopted for sites selection based on the prominence and
prevalence of firewood extraction and utilization in the areas. Five communities each were chosen from the two local
government areas. Both primary and secondary data collections were made. The primary data collection involved the use of a well-structured questionnaire, and the secondary data were obtained from National Bureau of Statistics’ Annual Abstract of
Statistics. The third part of data collection involved the measurement of the amount of firewood collected by individual using a weighing balance. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test of significance. The result indicated that majority of the firewood exploiters were women, who are above forty years of age. The major sources of firewood in the area remain natural forests with only a fraction exploited from the farm/fallow lands. There was no established fuel-wood plantation in the area, and plan to establish such appears non-existent. The species mostly extracted are Acioa barteri, Alconia cordifolia, Anthonatha macrophylum, Dialium guinense, Harungana madagascariensis, Macaranga barterii, Milicia excelsa and Pentaclethra macrophylla, with preference for Acioa barteri, Dialium guinense and Pentaclethra macrophylla due to their low moisture contents and ability to burn faster and efficiently. Firewood was exploited in both farming and off-farming seasons at varied degrees with most exploitation done in the off-farming season. Firewood was found to be more expensive during farming season. The most expensive species are Dialium guinense, Macaranga barterii and Pentaclethra macrophylla, which are sold for N18.18 each during the farming season, and N13.64 kg-1, N15.21 kg-1 and N15.21 kg-1 respectively in the off farming season. The result revealed that the average per capita firewood consumptions were 1.83±1.62 kg day-1 and 2.15±0.94 kgday-1 in Owerri North and West Local Government Areas respectively. The study shows that the patterns of exploitation and utilization in the area are not sustainable. It is therefore recommended that a strategy be put in place to ensure adequate replenishment to avoid over-exploitation, deforestation and environmental degradation.
Description
Keywords
Firewood, species, extraction, consumption, season, Research Subject Categories::FORESTRY, AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES and LANDSCAPE PLANNING
Citation
Adeyemi, A.A. & Ibe, A.E. (2014): Patterns of firewood exploitation and utilization in peri-urban and rural areas of Owerri Zone in southern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and the Environment. 10(3); 113-119, Published by Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.